PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – October 4, 2026 – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team erased a two-set deficit before falling to Howard in five sets (14-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 5-15) Sunday afternoon inside the Hytche Athletic Center.
After dropping the opening set, UMES battled Howard throughout the second. The Hawks pulled even at 23-23 late in the frame before the Bison scored the final two points to take a 2-0 advantage.
Eastern Shore responded in the third, hitting .250 on the way to a 25-19 victory. The Hawks carried that momentum into the fourth, building an 18-7 advantage before closing out another 25-19 win to force a decisive fifth set.
Howard regained control in the final frame, jumping out to an early advantage before securing the set 15-5 and the match.
Rayah Howell led the Hawks offensively with 14 kills, while Malaysia Shaw finished with 10 kills and four total blocks. Kyra Bradford added seven kills while hitting .545 and contributed three block assists.
Defensively, Karielys Melendez led UMES with 20 digs, while Lila Bryant added 13 and Jayda Hutchins recorded 11. Dynasty Andrews finished with four solo blocks and one block assist as the Hawks totaled 10 blocks as a team.
The loss moved Eastern Shore to 2-13 overall and 1-3 in MEAC play.
Up Next
Maryland Eastern Shore returns to the road on Friday, October 9, traveling to Baltimore to face Coppin State in MEAC action at 6 p.m.
